New Wales political system poses great danger - Wigley
- Published
Lord Wigley led Plaid Cymru from 1981-84 and again from 1991-2000
A reform of Wales' political system poses "a very great danger", a former leader of Plaid Cymru has said.
Dafydd Wigley was reacting to plans to bring in a so-called closed list PR system, external for Cardiff Bay from 2026.
The plans were approved in principle by the Senedd this week.
It will be the biggest structural change to the electoral system since devolution began in 1999, and has been described by ministers as a historic step for the Senedd's development.
The plans will also see the number of Members of the Senedd (MSs) increase for the first time, from 60 to 96.
What is a closed list PR system?
The way MSs are elected will change, with them chosen from 16 so-called super-constituencies based on the new Westminster seats, with six members each.
They will be chosen by proportional representation - the idea that the seats in parliament should be in proportion to the votes cast.
The number of Members of the Senedd, or MSs, will increase from 60 to 96
The format to be used is known as the closed list, where voters will have to choose a party, not an individual, and candidates will be elected depending on their party's popularity and their place on the list.
Fifty years to the month since he was first elected to the Commons, Lord Wigley has said the new system would destroy the relationship between voters and the people they elect.
"In my period as MP for Caernarfon for a quarter of a century, I regarded the link between myself and my electors as absolutely essential," he said.
"If you put all the power in the hands of a party machine, then it's the people who are going to serve the party best that will get the preference, as opposed to people who will be serving their constituents best, and that is a very important distinction, and it's a very great danger if we go down that road."
Dr Anwen Elias from Aberystwyth University said: "Those who defend the closed list will tell you that it gives you more control over the ordering of the candidates on the list, and that allows you to ensure diversity.
"The argument against of course is that it allows voters to vote for a party. It doesn't allow them to vote for individuals on that party's list, and so you're taking away that choice that the voter currently has."
But the Welsh government said it was the right thing to do.
Minister for the constitution, Mick Antoniw, told the Senedd: "I think we're doing what is absolutely essential. This is a historic step for Wales, and I think it is the correct step."
Why is the number of MSs increasing in Wales?
Supporters say the increase in MSs takes account of the extra work the Senedd has taken on since devolution began, but the Conservatives do not back the changes.
Their spokesman, Darren Millar MS, told the Senedd: "Wales needs more doctors, nurses, dentists and teachers, it does not need more politicians.
"And it is a great shame... to see the time, energy and resources of both the Welsh government and this Senedd focused on a piece of legislation that will increase the number of members of the Welsh Parliament by an eye-watering 60% when we could be discussing matters that are more important to the people of Wales."
The plans are likely to become law and be brought in at the next Senedd election in 2026.
More on this story on Politics Wales, BBC One Wales on Sunday at 10:00 GMT
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